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Not the Same River #1

A Storm of Paper Starlings

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What if the ordinary family you crave isn’t ordinary at all?

When an accident lands Violet in hospital, her mundane life in a London children’s home is disrupted by relatives she’s never heard of—the Penhaligons—and a mysterious visitor who disappears into the night after claiming he’s the father of the twin sister she never knew she had.

With her long-lost sister, Amethyst, to find, Violet turns to her new family for help. But the Penhaligons are far from ordinary.

Power and magic lurk at the priory, Violet’s new home in the Oxfordshire countryside, and she learns fast that nothing is ordinary there, least of all the hostile new neighbours—a coven of vampires, vaewolves, and demons.

As Violet grapples with family secrets, four powerful new brothers, and latent abilities of her own, Amethyst and the man who raised her find themselves in mortal danger—a danger that draws Violet and her family into a battle to save them.

Finally embracing the meaning of family, two questions burn at the back of Violet’s mind.

If vampires and demons exist, what are the Penhaligons?

And what is she?

468 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 28, 2022

261 people are currently reading
469 people want to read

About the author

Inka York

17 books18 followers

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5 stars
68 (38%)
4 stars
56 (31%)
3 stars
38 (21%)
2 stars
9 (5%)
1 star
5 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for Brandy.
1,264 reviews56 followers
November 2, 2025
Listen. I had no idea what was going on for most of it. I loved the first half, was confused and a little bored from 50-75%, and pushed through the last part. I felt like there was a LOT of stuff going on and a lot of info dumping, while Violet was just like, meh, no biggie. 3.5 stars rounded up.
Profile Image for Kay Cobbold.
265 reviews11 followers
December 5, 2023
A lovely long, and gripping read. I loved the slow build up, with just enough clues to detect what most characters were. I have to say, though, that Magnus’ identity came as a total surprise. I travelled along with Violet as she embraced her new-found family and I celebrated with her as she became a Penhaligon. Now, I MUST read the next one to find out what happens to Violet and Amethyst! I received a complimentary book from the author via Voracious Readers Only.
Profile Image for Dawn Ireland.
Author 97 books70 followers
March 7, 2025
Way overwritten by a couple of hundred pages

In the first 50% of the book, the paranormal was barely glanced over. The school scenes went on and on. Then Violet’s adoption took too long, then we went back to the school for way too many pages. Finally, somewhere around 60% in, the story was formed. This book needed a book editor!
Profile Image for Beth ~Book Loving Is My Superpower~.
610 reviews34 followers
December 21, 2022
At first glance: Myself being from the States and this author being British led to some interesting use of imagination on my part since this book had terminology I wasn't used to... and in some cases I was baffled and confuzzled by it. Yet, that aside, this book boasted some beautifully crafted prose but don't worry... this read was not obnoxiously flowery, verbose, or tweeee... it was just compelling evocative writing. Now, unfortunately, I initially found myself a bit bogged down, mired in some sluggish spots... the first half of the book was obviously (taking its sweet ass time) setting things up... having to wade through the dull bits was a bit off-putting BUT when I got to ~ the 50% mark, things started picking up as the Crazy and Fantastical were thrown about.

At a second gander: After the 50% mark, things started to dramatically gain momentum. I finally reached the area where the Who(s), the Why(s), and a touch of the How(s) were being laid out. The info dumpage was borderline excessive. Thankfully it didn't turn out to be too detrimental BUT our FMC, Violet didn’t help matters. She rolled with every punch and handled each bizarre reveal with true teen apathy.


Third impression: there was a TON going on here!! That can be a double-edged sword. Lots going on could mean a spellbinding read ... an adrenaline-fueled tale that blindsides and abducts you then doesn't let go til the very last word. Unfortunately, that was not the case here. Here there were loads and buckets and rivers of reveals... a bunch were Life/belief structure altering- in theory, BUT in actuality, the characters took each and every bit of (unlikely) news/drama and were incredibly blasé about it. It was as if they said, "okay, that's momentous, anyone for tea?". It's somewhat off-putting because no matter what happened, they were unphased. There were Vampires, Succubi, and Werewolves. There were witches, shapeshifters, voodoo-type poisoners, various demons, and demon spawn (that happen to not be intrinsically evil which I liked), plus other "Others" that populated this unique world. The existence of a myriad of Creatures Of The Night alone should be anxiety-inducing, and Life altering but Violet and her sister Amethyst not only heard and encountered these things but they seemed to file them under "Big Freaking Deal" to boot. Violet surmised that she and her twin sister have a (very unique) place/role in this strange world and again they acted as if they might have said... "that's weird, lunch anyone?". The nonchalance when being confronted with dangerous and (quite) shocking news felt inauthentic (imo). Is it a rating-busting missile? Maybe, it sure felt disingenuous.

The end: This section was high-octane and fun to read. I wish it didn't end with so many loose ends flapping about... I'm not usually a fan of cliffhangers. This book had a few interesting twists on old Monster tropes. Some of the characters were well-defined and multi-faceted. . sadly that was not the case with a hand full of other cast members BUT decent characters, a unique plot (and trope management) and a fast pace were all attributes that went a looong way towards helping this read redeem itself from its info dumping ways. Those qualities helped restore some of the penalized Rating Stars.


Overall:

If you're into info ladden stories with a cornucopia of Monster types... then this is totally up your alley. If you like coming of age and into one's powers tales... then this one is definitely for you. If you like unresolved, cliffhanger endings... you're a bit weird but this one is surely for you. I happened to enjoy this story BUT if you asked me those questions before I read this book I'd probably have answered NO to most. I'll most likely be on the lookout for book #2

~ Enjoy

*** I received an advance review copy for free from Booksirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily. ***
Profile Image for Rachel Adams.
Author 9 books57 followers
June 15, 2023
Wow, this book took me on some unexpected journeys for sure! The action begins in the very first paragraph. I love something that has a good pace and keeps me interested, and this did the trick. I cannot wait to read the rest of Violet’s adventures.

That being said, I’d like to introduce everyone to the story of a child who thought her mother abandoned her and that she was all alone. Even with that knowledge and multiple failed fosterings, Violet made her own life the best it could be so far. It’s not until she gets hit by a car that she actually considers that she’s really not alone.

People pour into her life, left and right. Soon, she has a family that she had always longed for - a nice ordinary place to belong. However, it isn’t exactly ordinary. This family has secrets and magic.

Sometimes, the introductions are intentionally mysterious. This was confusing for me as a reader, but I weathered the storm and Inka rewarded me for it. Once you understand who is whom, the plot gets easier to follow. Her book is fast-paced and well-written. The story made me feel for each character, not just the main character. She actually surprised me a couple of times - which is no easy feat.

I don’t want to give away too much, but the book ends on some high notes and it also leaves you wondering - what’s next for this magical family?
Profile Image for Lana.
2,785 reviews59 followers
July 19, 2024
It took me a while to get into this book, as the style of writing is different to my usual reading style, however once I got into the very convoluted tale, I found it to be quite riveting. This is the story of Violet, an orphan who'd lived in care all her life, and who craved a family to love her, more than anything. So when finally a family turns up to claim her she is overjoyed, however she finds out that they are more than they seem at first glance. As she leaves London and joins the family in Oxfordshire she finds a mysterious house which is full of secrets, and a family with even more of these than their house. She discovers that all she thought belonged in myth were in fact reality, many of whom where now neighbours, as well as finding out she'd had a twin sister who needed saving. I really enjoyed reading a book based in the UK, loved the quirky characters, the fact that gay characters are included and the descriptions of an orphans' life and the craving for family and love. I would love to go on reading this series which is so strong regarding the family bond and all this entails!
Profile Image for Patricia.
58 reviews1 follower
September 27, 2025
⭐️ 4/5

This was a very interesting read!
The characters were fun to follow, especially Violet. You learn a lot about her story, and her personality was well developed, but it’s clear she still has a lot of growing to do.

A lot of the book felt like it focused on worldbuilding though, probably to set things up for the rest of the series. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy that as much as I did but you can tell the world is massive, with so many directions the story could take. This feels like one of those stories where you will never get tired of it!

I was a little thrown off at first however, by some characters feeling introduced and then kind of forgotten, but that feeling faded as I kept reading. It started to seem more like those characters were being set up for something bigger later on, which has me even more intrigued. I’ve already got a bunch of theories running through my head!

I’m really excited to see how Violet's journey continues in the next books. I recommend it if you're into YA fantasy books! ^-^.

~Thank you to Inka York and Booksprout for an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.~
Profile Image for Carinkla.
151 reviews1 follower
September 12, 2025
I have to be honest, this book did not start out very promising. Maybe the writer wanted to make an impressive entrance,  I really don't know. But the first person narrative was extremely flowery and philosophical, very unrelatable and filled with long emotional repeats. No-one thinks like that. I admit that I started skipping stuff, but then came chapter two and the writing style normalized, the story started to grip me and I was really happy that I braved that first chapter because the book is absolutely worth it.


It reminded me vaguely of the twilight saga and vampire diaries. Not really story wise since it's not about finding a love interest , but more about finding a place for yourself in a supernatural world, making connections. But mostly because it's about ever changing dynamics. 


The story is original and unpredictable, the characters powerful but also very human and relatable. This particular book, being a first in a series is probably mostly to put things in place, but it does that wonderfully. I already have the two other books of this series lined up to read next. 
Profile Image for Suzanne Irving.
2,730 reviews24 followers
September 16, 2025
The basis of this book is a fairly common one, that of an orphan finding her family, but Inka York has done a marvelous job of telling her own version of this trope.
Violet is the orphan in question who is hit by a car and has her boring life turned upside down. I enjoyed the beautiful way this story is told and I really wanted to read it slowly, but I just zoomed through it. I will definitely be reading these books again and savoring them.
The story is exciting, but for me the characters were the best parts of the story. There are so many interesting side characters and all of them are so well written that I feel like they could be real. There are also so many twists and turns in the plot that you really can’t believe things at first glance. It’s well worth reading.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Melissa.
97 reviews3 followers
November 21, 2022
"A Storm Of Paper Starlings, " book 1 in the Not The Same River series by Inka York has left my mind blown!

Wow, what an incredible first book! Absolutely loved it!

After being hit by a car, Violet awakens in the hospital with a stranger .

An orphan, she's always felt lost and alone.

She dreams strange things and can't explain them. Then things about her past come to light, and boy, do they ever!

No spoilers, but this a book you must read! Twists and turns abound.

Such well written characters and a roller coaster ride full of supernatural adventure ! Can't wait for the next book in the series! Bravo, Ms. York ! I'm now a fan!

I received an advanced review copy of this book, and am voluntarily leaving a fair and honest opinion.
Profile Image for Aiden Feltkamp.
177 reviews5 followers
January 7, 2023
I received an advance reader copy for free and I’m reviewing this voluntarily. Overall this is a pretty cozy fantasy book — at least, I think that’s the mood that the author was going for. The plot moves very slowly and some of the reveals come out of nowhere. I would have liked the plot to move more quickly or for the reader to get more clues about the mysterious elements happening behind the scenes. The characters were fun and realistic. I just wish the reveal of information was in more active scenes instead of info-dumps at the midpoint of the book. The setting is well-established and intriguing. The prose is well-written and the imagery is evocative. I just wish the book had better pacing and more consistent world building overall.
Profile Image for Cathy Hunter.
361 reviews1 follower
November 27, 2024
This book is like an introduction to a family who just as you think you have it all worked out change relationships. It's not confusing and done in a way that's easy to follow but it takes pretty much the whole book to set everything straight. As a result there is not much space left for story, the story really is the history of the family and an eductaion in many different types of creature. There is a build up throughout the book of looming danger so as you delve further in the more you have to keep going.

It was easy to read, the writing flows and I am definitely interested in seeing where the second book takes us.
Profile Image for Erica Field.
167 reviews1 follower
November 13, 2022
A Storm of Paper Starlings is a trip into the complex world of foster care, rapidly upstaged by vampires and all manner of other worldly going on. I enjoyed the parts of the book grounded in reality far more than the supernatural elements.

The book has a really strong start. I felt enormous empathy for our young heroine and inwardly cheered her victories. No spoilers, but the dynamics of family add depth and detail to this world.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily
Profile Image for Shu'aib Muhammad.
2 reviews
January 8, 2023
This book was amazing! It had so many twists and turns I didn't expect and the way the author wove the plot around the Penhaligon family and all the characters was on point and very enthralling.

Although, I expected the adventure to begin in about ten chapters into the book but the way Inka York dropped a bombshell—sorry for the tiny spoiler—makes this a book to add on your physical or digital library.

Honestly, I recommend this book to anyone who's learning to love YA Fantasy and needs something exciting to read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Emma Collins.
Author 4 books5 followers
September 30, 2025
A Storm of Paper Starlings is an atmospheric and captivating start to the Not the Same River series. Inka York pulls you straight into a world where family secrets, hidden powers, and supernatural neighbors collide in the most deliciously chaotic way. The mix of found family, magic, and lurking danger kept me hooked, while the emotional core—yearning for belonging—gave it real heart. A rich, layered beginning that promises even more twists to come.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Zara.
295 reviews
October 29, 2022
Fascinating paranormal story of an orphan finding her self, her magic, and her chosen and genetic families. Loved all the twists and magical turns to this tale, but it felt like even though this is Book One of this series, it should actually be somewhere in the middle part of a series, or that it's a side-shoot story to a larger saga. If you're ready for a long, but comfortable cozy coming of age kind of mystery with a bit of danger, then this could be your next read!
Profile Image for Panditita.
52 reviews2 followers
January 16, 2023
It was in overall a good book, enjoyed the fantasy and the way in which the story of Violet gets setup. I found hard to believe that a teenager who has grown without trusting anybody will create close relationships and open up herself that fast.

It has a good twist at end but I wish we knew more about Sean, Mara and their coven! Their story was not explored enough, I wanted to know who they were without their relationship to Violet and Amethyst.

If you like YA fantasy with a bit of romance and teenager drama then this book is for you 😎

Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Jennifer Brass.
63 reviews6 followers
July 6, 2024
Vi is an orphan. Her only friend is her only friend until a bad accident that happens at the beginning of the book. Than she is found by her family. This young adult novel has an interesting concept and some mild cussing. A teen with abilities she doesn’t know she has and a family legacy she slowly learns of. She has several male cousins and their caring parents. All this and a twin sister she never met. The characters are flushed out and I enjoyed reading about them all
I had a little trouble remembering who all the characters were. If you have a similar problem, I suggest writing down the names and a short description of them. I already bought book 2 and plan on starting it as soon as I finish this review.
The only mild negative is the ending. I had a little trouble with how fast things were happening. It was so engrossing and then something happens and the fight has ended but not over. The book is finished and continues in the next book.
The author is from U.K. You might want to change your dictionary to U.K English. This had helped me with words that mean something different in the US vs the U.K. U.K. English spells many words differently. You might think tires spelt tyers is spelt wrong. It’s not. There are some slang words.
I enjoyed the book. I assume that I will be rereading this in the future.
80 reviews
July 10, 2025
I normally would skip this book aimed for teenagers, however the fantastic and someteimes ectic display of imagination and even lyrism got me trapped at some scenes.
The writer navigates our main character through three different books in one story. The orphan, the big family and the supernatural neighbours. I wouldn't say it's seamless but neither it's rough.
I would recommend for teens and YYA audience.
Profile Image for A.K. Adler.
Author 6 books9 followers
November 1, 2022
This is brilliantly written, and I loved the quirky sense of humour. I found it suffered from too much plot - a lot of information that got in the way of my enjoyment of the great characters. It felt more like a set-up for the series than a complete story in its own right... but I kept reading because the author's voice was so compelling.

I got a free review copy of this book.
Profile Image for Alexandra.
Author 4 books7 followers
March 1, 2023
If you like a nice meandering story with lots of details painting the background and atmosphere for you, slowly letting you know the characters in depth with twists and turns you don't see coming - this is the book for you.
Profile Image for Michelle Willms.
553 reviews45 followers
February 17, 2024
Outstanding

Weird and wonderful characters with creatures that are definitely outside the norm. I was fascinated to read about this new version of vampires and other supes. The plot was tight, the writing was amazing, and now I need to read the next book.
Profile Image for melissa black.
13 reviews1 follower
September 3, 2025
I absolutely loved this book. It was interesting learning about the different species, their powers, and their abilities. This book is so easy to get lost in. Learning about the family dynamics and their connections was something I really enjoyed reading. I can’t wait to read the rest of the series
66 reviews1 follower
September 13, 2025
Okay..... omg this book had so many twists and turn like I absolutely loved all of the wait minute parts had me on the edge of my seat.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
493 reviews1 follower
September 28, 2025
Page turner

With many twists and turns, this book will as snare you quickly. Violet starts off as a ward of the state, living in a group home and tormented st school, with only her tight friends devil with Lush as comfort. Then things begin to change...
1 review
October 2, 2025
Very slow storyline, very difficult to get past the first ten chapters. School scenes are far too long and don't really add anything to the story. Skipped pages without losing the story, which isn't great.
It did get better towards the end.
290 reviews3 followers
March 16, 2024
Enjoyed

Strong female characters and an easy story to read. Lots of action- good friends and interesting bad characters. Read it.
47 reviews2 followers
June 1, 2024
likes it

The book is interesting and took me a minute to get everything straightened out of who was who but worth the read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews

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